polythene bags

[diggers11]

As i am new to this gardening lark this might be a stupid question. Can you use clear plastic polythene bags over your newly planted seeds in trays and pots and use these like cloches or do they just keep the soil damp and cold

[Monika]

Ordinary, domestic plastic bags, outside? They would not offer much protection against the elements, diggers11.

If you mean inside a greenhouse, I would certainly not leave them on for a long time because the condensation would not do your seedlings any good. At least give the bags a good shake (to get rid of the condensation) at least once a day and turn them over. And, when the sun shines, you won't need any protection at all.